12th March 2009

Not such grand weather this morning so I popped into Haltwhistle our nearest town, called into La Toot for coffee and a chocolate Brownie .

While Haltwhistle isn't actually on the line of the Hadrian's Wall Path it's worth a visit to stock up on your essentials, it has a good range of shops Billy Bells is one of those real old fashioned shops, fish, veg, meat, baked goods all at a good price. There's a bookshop, PO, Flower shop £1 shop, Boots, Sainsbury and the Coop. Be aware that some of the shops close for lunch but there are several places where you can get something to eat and rest your feet while you wait.

Internet access at the library but check the opening times.
While I was in La Toot one of my neighbours, Scott, came in to show the owners, Sue and Mike a door knocker he's made

The door knocker was beautiful with a ram's head as the focal point complete with lovely twirled horns.

Scott Goodfellow, a traditional blacksmith who's creating some beautiful things, I called into theforge at Chapel House Farm and borrowed a poker to photograph, and show you here.

I did wonder about a sculpture for the garden but it would probably be too expensive for me, I guess it takes a lot of time to create these lovely things.

Be nice to support someone starting out in a traditional business though so I will think of something.

Sheep are the main farming business here on the high crags of Hadrian's Wall, you'll see plenty of them if you walk the Hadrian's Wall Path or even if you visit for the day, so items with sheep are popular around here.